Chapter: 7
Chaos's Struggle
They are about six hours from the Inn. The town of Burrowsedge is not as big as Sumberton but it is home. The companions decide that they could not push any further without a break for rest and water, besides Verial and Chaos wanted to check on Snow. The two men are just pulling the wagon flap open as Snow opens her eyes and looks at them.
"How are you?" asked Verial
"I'm a bit groggy but I'm good. I know I'm hungry. Is it ok to move around for a bit?"
Chaos and Verial both smile nod then help her up and out of the wagon. The first thing she does is hugs them both, then she quickly walks to a group of bushes away from them. Chaos chuckles turns to face the other way. Verial is turning to face the same direction when he notices the movements of Aria. Intrigued he walks over to watch her as she marks the ground with the staff she uses to walk with when she is not with a friend. On the ground is a little circle with two other circles. Exile has walked over with Dalamar upon seeing this Dalamar walks to Verial.
"Aria has drawn this several times since we started traveling together. I do not understand the ways of her magic, but I do know that when she says something comes from the flames she has not been wrong. I have noticed the two small circles are growing closer together and are getting nearer to the bigger one"
Verial looks lost in thought.
"I need a fire, please."
Staff in hand Aria looks paler than usual. Snow comes from around the wagon with AJ and Taven in time to see the others making a small fire. Aria sits quietly as the rest of the group watches. Those that have seen this before knows that it could be a little while or it could come fast/ It is always a little frightening, for the ones watching always fear for Arias life. Suddenly Arias hand flies up and she calls out in a loud voice "Show me!"
The flames pop, crackle, and dance no one but Aria sees the mysterious message inside. Everyone does notice she is frightened. Dalamar is just about to place a hand on her shoulder to let her know she is not alone when she screams and the flames go out. Nothing but a few cinders are left. Aria collapses in Dalamars outstretched hands. She has tears running unchecked down her face. Je'Un, who has taken on the role of taking care of Aria, Walks over to Dalamar.
"It cannot be good if she has had this type of reaction. I will take her to our wagon and let her rest there. She can tell us what she saw when she is better."
Aria sits up. She is visibly shaking and tears course unchecked down her tiny face.
"I am not asleep. I can talk we do not have time for me to rest. We need to act soon. Is there anyone that has paper and can write well?"
AJ reaches in her belt pouch and produces a journal and her pencil.
"I have been keeping a journal such as that my dad left for me. I am ready when you are."
Aria nods and looks right at her. "Ok take this down" as she starts to recite the message her voice becomes deep and frozen. It makes the meaning of every word and the message its self-more intense. AJ almost forgets to write as she sits listening to every word afraid to miss any.
"Music from stones taken to the vault of a single key.
With the essence of death and a blade of a king.
Vials of water taken before and after,
And a scale from the beast not named"
With the last word spoken her voice returns to normal and she turns to Snow.
"I am sorry, I hate to tell you that you will not be going home. I am not sure where this place is but you will be going with Dalamar and me. Chaos must go with Verial, Exile and Dragu. There is a problem at your home. They need to be there soon. I can tell you, two of them will see you again. One of them will not." Aria turns to her friend Je'Un "I and tired now, I believe I will rest for a while. Why don't you take a walk." Leaning closely she whispers to Je'Un "you need to tell him how you feel. He needs to know before you leave. Say goodbye."
With that Aria went to her wagon and rests. Chaos and Snow moves to their wagon; Snow starts moving a few of her things to the wagon that Dalamar travels in. AJ moves her things over to Snows wagon, and Je'Un quietly disappears only noticed by Dragu who joins her on her walk. They soon find a quiet place to say their goodbyes; Je'Un gives him a gift that only he would ever know about. When they return to camp the wagons go their separate ways. Snow holding her head high as Chaos takes his first of many drinks.
They arrive at the Inn finding it a glorious sight. Only those that travel far from home would truly understand how the sight of a ramshackled, wood and brick two story Inn could be home. The smile on those that know it and live there spreads across their faces causing the lines of travel, stress and weariness to fall away. It is AJ that breaks the almost mystical silence.
"This is home? Is it prettier inside? Do you know the roof needs patched and it looks as if the front door has fallen off the hinges while you were gone? I hope you did not leave anything of value inside."
Verial climbs from his horse looking at the door frame. Pulling his blade from is scabbard he starts running towards the Inn. Before arriving he calls out to those that should be inside.
"Sigmar, Mary, Jonathan anyone!"
When no one answers everyone there draws their weapon and runs to the door. Verials voice is a mixture of anger, agony, and frustration.
"Exile come inside with me, Dragu check the barn then come inside. Someone has to be here."
Exile looked at Verial "whats wrong? "
"The door was destroyed from the inside. It was knocked off by magic. I do not know if Anne or Mary had magic. I do know that Jonathan was beginning to show signs of possibly having magic. Maybe even that of a healer. I do not see any of the tell -tell marks of undead. We did not run into any further trouble after the bandits. I am thinking either drow or we have enemies we have yet to meet."
Exile and Verial make their way inside. The inside of the tiny room that had served as dining hall, breakfast room, battle room, council chambers, and more for a town that lost so much in the last three years was now destroyed. The tables were turned over, broken, or even scorched. The stair way leading to the rooms is littered with chair parts and broken mugs. The battle had caught the group at dinner. They were eating upstairs. Which meant Sigmar is worse. When they left on this journey their old friend, the Inn keeper, had come down with a bad cough and high fever. Verial points to the stairs to let Exile know he is going up. Nodding Exile follows. They both skip the third step from the bottom as it creaks making break -ins impossible. Near the top again they skip a step for the same creaky reason. The view upstairs makes Verials stomach turn. Sigmars proud body lays in his doorway his eyes open in a look of utter defiance. His weapon liters the floor beside him. He is only in a nightshirt but he obviously fought as if in his armor. His side showed a gash wide enough one of his lungs had poured from him spilling blood and goo on his white linen napkin that now only protected the floor at his feet. His blue lips were parted but no noise came forth. A fly buzzed as Verial reached over to close his friend's eyes. The sounds of boots behind them informed Exile and Verial that Dragu was on his way up. Dragu fought a cry of anger when he saw the way Sigmar was left.
"NOOO! Damn whoever did this. Damn them back to hell!" walking over he laid his friend down in a more comfortable position. Walks into his room returning with a sheet and covers him up. "When we are done checking the house I will see to it my friend your spirit will not wonder here but join the rest of your family and friends in the fields of Valhalla." Picking up his weapon Dragu walks over to the room across the hall. Opening the door a noise comparable to a groan and a gag came from his throat. Exile turns to see what caused such a noise to see the walls of Snows old room painted red by the blood of a body that lay in part on the floor. Exile is barely aware of Verials voice behind him "please god don't be Jonathan."
There is an exhale of breath as they realize in unison that it is not the boy. It is however his mother, Ann. It looks as if she died trying to protect something she was trying to hide in the room. About the time Exile realized the position is an odd way to lay AJ walks over lays on the floor and reaches under the bed. Everyone is stunned when she pulls a little bundle out from under it. Especially since it is moving.
"Shhh, there, there. I'm not your mommy but I do not think this pretty lady is either. I am going to take you downstairs and clean you up. Ok?"
In unison and almost loud enough it makes both of them cry the three men call out "NO!" and bar her movement. It is Exile that speaks first
"We do not know what attacked, why they attacked, and where the rest of the family are. You can either carry that with you or stay with us; or you can stay in the hallway and wait till we are done making our check."
AJ's facial expressions tell them she is not happy. Making a sling she wraps the bundle up and walks on to the next three rooms with the men. They check every inch if the upstairs and there is nothing left not even in the attic. Strangely nothing is missing. Sigmar collected things from his journeys and none of it is gone. Some of it is magical.
Exile and Dragu decide that the only place left is the kitchen and the cellar. When they check the kitchen they find Jonathan's father, David. They also find their first clue as to the person who did this. Telling Verial about it he uses a bit of his own magic to try and make certain. When the answer is clear he nods to the two men it is as they fear. Dragu sits at one of the up righted tables wiping his face.
"We have searched high and low where is that boy? He is not the one who did this that we now know for certain." Finally shaking his head "Exile help me we have pyres to make before dusk. If that is truly the evil, I do not want to a chance one claiming their souls."
Exile and Dragu go about making pyres using broken furniture when they have Sigmars, David's, and Ann's pyre. They realize Mary is gone. "Crap, you are the one that has to tell Verial."
"Has to tell Verial what?"
Turning around Exile and Dragu look to see Verial holding the bundle. His eyes look sad and AJ is crying harder than anyone so small should ever cry.
"Mary is gone." Pointing "What happened?"
"Just place next to Ann." Shaking his head that is all Verial could say.
Exile does as instructed they light the fires, Verial says a prayer and Dragu says one also. Chaos starts a slow funeral song that makes all the men think of their individual homes. When the last of the song is done Chaos gets his weapon. "Well, come on let's go look for Mary. And we still have Jonathan to find."
"Exile, you and Chaos go look for Mary in the barn and out back. I have a feeling we won't see her again though. Dragu, you, AJ and I are going to check town. We will all be back in an hour. I believe we need to get this place cleaned up and fortified. The guest we had is after something or someone. We will not see the last of him. We also want it clean and safe for Snow."
They all agree then go about the business assigned them. AJ still in tears but less loudly. She will have a lot to put in her journal tonight. She just does not understand who their guest is.
Chapter 8
Snow
Amanda notices Snow is not herself; the further the wagon pulls away from where the two groups split the quieter Snow becomes. Amanda decides that conversation would be better than tears for the young woman.
"How long have you and Chaos been together?"
Snow about jumps at Amanda's voice, she had not notice when she rode closer to talk.
"You startled me!"
"Sorry, would you rather continue your tears or do you feel able to talk? I think it would be better for you and for the little one to talk. It is going to be a long ride as we are not sure where we are going at this point."
Nodding in agreement Snow looks at Amanda. She had not taken the time to really get to know the young elf. All Snow knew is that Amanda is thought to be dead by her family and village.
"Chaos and I have been together for a long while. We traveled together for many years before we married. When we first met I thought he was handsome but full of himself. I was surprised to find that Verial actually was a friend of his with the attitude Chaos held for life. As time went on my outlook and his changed. We lost some friends and kept some. There are a few of us that became a family. Chaos and I found that we did not like being apart. It was Verial actually that pointed it out. 'Your problem, you two is not that you do not hate each other. It is you love each other. Marry her already.' So we did."
"Verial, he seems to be a good person. Is he always so straight forward?"
Snow looked at Amanda, the look a mixture of concern and puzzlement.
"He is when he needs to be."
About the time Snow is going to ask a question about what she is thinking one of the twins yells from ahead of the group.
"LOOK OUT!"
Not knowing what is going on Snow grabs her staff from behind her in the wagon. Amanda reins in her horse and draws her bow. Aria pokes out her head a wand in hand. Korel stands beside the wagon hammer in hand. Je'Un on her horse has her sword drawn. It is Dalamar that decides to ask the question on everyone's mind.
"Kriger, what is it?!"
The noise of a battle reaches their ears before the words from Ragnar do. When the words reach them they all look at each other not knowing if they heard right.
"Undead!"
Lucy looks at Dalamar
"We need to get up there. I know that Snow does not need to fight something like this so leave her and the wagon with Aria and Vistana"
"I am not weak. I can fight these undead. I have fought undead before. I am pregnant not dying, hurt or fragile. If I was holding the cure for a terrible disease within my blood then I would stay back but I am just becoming a mom. Many women fought and many more will do the same. Now we can argue or we can go help our friends."
Lucy looked as if she had just swallowed a bug that tasted like warm bull pee.
"We fight. Aria are you fighting also?"
"Yes I have a wand that will help."
"Ok let's go then."
Dalamar changes places with Vistana. He let the illusionist tie his horse to the back of the wagon as the warrior walks. Dalamars weapon drawn the sword had a faint glow to it. When they came to the battle they see Kriger and Ragnar fighting almost back to back. There is a group of five blackened skeletal creatures each carrying swords and wearing rusted armor. Two more are already lying in broken pieces on the ground. Kriger seeing the group yells over to Dalamar.
"They get back up. We break them apart and they get back up. We will not be able to get away from them."
Ragnar had a fearsome mark on his face, it looked like claw marks but it looked like it is a month old and it has been left untreated as it looked infected. When Amanda sees this she tells Aria about the mark.
"Amanda you have any of those berry's left from the tea we made for Snow?"
"Yes, in my pouch."
"After we get rid of these things I will need them and some other things if we do not take care of it he will not make it through the night. Do not let them scratch you, their scratch carries poison."
The look on everyone's face is priceless only Je'Un is able to speak.
"It is not our intention to get hurt but sometimes it happens that is why we keep you around. Shall we dispatch these creatures?"
Aria crawls over the seat to sit in Dalamars seat. Vistana is beside her.
"Disassemble them and I will finish them for good!"
Ragnar and krigar give a battle shout. Dalamar, Je'Un, Korel, and Snow run in and start swinging. Within no less than three minutes from the time they ran in the creatures are apart and lay in a pile. Aria stands up with Vistana's aid and points her wand. There is a loud pop from inside the pile. A small fire starts smoking; a second pop sounds, the smoke grows thicker soon flames show bright. Dalamar holds up his hands to let Vistana know it is going. Aria sits down the wand no longer in her hand.
"It amazes me when you make those disappear."
"Vistana you are not the only one good with illusion."
Aria smiles at the group as they walk back to the wagon when Ragnar almost collapses her smile becomes serious.
"Je'Un, Amanda we need to work fast. The men load him into the wagon."
Je'Un gets her some water and goes to the already lit fire warming it quickly. When Je'Un returns Amanda and Aria have a small pestal and mortal working the berries and other herbs into a thick smelly paste. Aria takes a small amount of the warm water and adds to the paste. When it is the consistency needed she rubs it on the now raw red place of Ragnar's face. When she had left Snow had been set to taking a cloth using it to remove all loose skin and puss from his face. In a few places the bone is able to be seen. Je'Un does her best to hide the horror and shock she feels at her friend's injury. Ragnar notices the look in her eyes.
"Awe come on I am still not as pretty as you are."
Je'Un smiles at him
"No now that mark makes it easier to tell the two of you apart."
Kriger teasingly taunts them trying to hide the pain and tears in his throat.
"You both know there has always been an easy way to tell us apart. I am the one that is just a bit bigger then he is."
Je'Un laughs and places her hand on his back.
"Come friend lets go check the path make sure we are able to go. I want out of this valley away from these creatures."
When they are far enough from the wagon no one will see or hear Kriger allows the tears to flow unchecked. After a good five minutes Je'Un tells him they need to go back he pulls himself together. They gather any of their discarded weapons make ready to go. When they get back to the wagon Ragnar is resting a healing bandage is covering the salve. He has been given a restoration potion to drink is now resting quietly; Aria sitting quietly humming to herself, Snow back in her place next to Dalamar and everyone else on their mounts. Korel now riding in the wagon at the back, he is stretched out his hammer lying next to him one hand lying on Ragnars' leg. No one said anything to him.
They travel without any further mishaps for five hours. They were out of the valley and into more familiar lands. Dalamar relaxes a little at the reins. Snow looks around she has not been in this area. As they are looking at the area around them they start noticing small things that make them uneasy. Je'Un rides closer to the front of the wagon her silent action asking Dalamar if they need to stop. Kriger coming to the other side of the wagon with Vistana It is Korel that notices the way the riders and Dalamar are acting.
"Amanda what's going on out there?"
"Silence."
"Don't sush me missy. I am your elder. I asked a question and deserve an answer. What is going on out there?"
Je'Un rides to the back of the wagon and holds up her hand.
"She was not sushing you. Silence is what's going on. There is not a single thing moving in the woods not a single animal, bird, and insect. The winds are even stilled. Something is very wrong here. We are not sure what it is. Dalamar is looking for a place to rest. He said there is a cabin up ahead that belongs to a friend of his. We plan to stop there. If they are there we are going to ask how long it has been this way. Dalamar said in about 2 minutes we should be there."
It is an eerie thing to be in a familiar wood and not even hear the call of a cricket where they usually sing. Snow noticed that without even meaning to her weapon is in her hand. Looking around she notices everyone that is riding has drawn a weapon or has their weapon available. Aria is even made ready a wand. Dalamar sniffs the air and Snow catches the same smell that he has, wood smoke. It is not old and tainted with the musty hint of a fire left unattended to die down. This fire is fresh and recently started. Dalamar clicks to the horse pulling the wagon urging more speed. As the pace picks, up a little it seems to relieve a little of the uneasiness from the group; Snow is just about to breathe out and relax when the clearing comes into view. It is a fresh fire. One that has swallowed what was once clearly a beautiful log cabin. The remains of an elderly woman lies face down near the door way. Her left arm is removed and thrown in front of her. One side of her face is a clawed and mangled mess. Dalamar clamps his mouth closed over a mixture of anguish and a choked scream of anger. Snow is not mistaken when she thinks she hears him whisper 'oh how can this be, my mother is gone.' The wagon barely completely stopped when he is running to her, tears unmistakable stream unchecked. No one moves to stop their friend. They only go to make sure he is not attacked by an unseen enemy. Gently rolling her on her side he cradles her in his arms. He does not worry about the stains or anything just the pain, anger and feelings of loss that are breaking his heart in this moment.
"We need to check the rest of the area. Je'Un stays here with him please. Ragnar, you and Korel check the barn, see if we can camp there tonight. We need to get the fire under control. We cannot let it burn the other buildings or spread to the woods. His sister and her son lived here as well. She moved her when her husband was taken in the war. We need to find them. Look for prints or clues. Keep an eye for whoever did this they might have heard us ride up and come back."
Lucy stood by Dalamar giving tasks in a cool yet understanding way.
"Amanda, you and Snow find the well house get some water. I know there is also a smokehouse near here we need to find some good meat and things for Kriger and everyone. If there is anything worth taking for the further journey then we will. While there is still light we need to get what is needed for Aria to heal Kriger. Vistana you can aid in that. I know we are tired but this is clearly the beginning of a war that we are being called to fight."
Lucy knelt by Dalamr whispering to him so that what is said is only between them.
"We need to put her to rest and we need your help looking for your sister. You can be angry later right now we need our leader and your sister might need her brother."
Dalamar stands up nodding lifting his mother he walks into the burning cabin when he comes out his eyes full of anger and hatred.
"Lucy come with me. If you keep one hand on my shoulder you will not feel the flames as bad as if you just walked in. My sister is inside. I need help to see if my nephew is with her."
Lucy nods then they enter, it seems as if time slows as the others are working on the things Lucy asked them to do. A loud angry roar from inside the burning walls told them Dalamar found his young nephew. Snow placed a hand on her abdomen as tears welled up falling unchecked down her face.
"Chaos, I love and need you. Please do not leave me alone in this world."
Her silent prayer is carried on the wind but echoed by several in the camp that night as they work in silence waiting for Dalamar and Lucy to tell them what is going on. It had been bad when they came out of the cabin; Dalamr walked to the nearest tree and started punching it. It looked as if he had taken anger management lessons from Exile and Chaos. Snow noticed several of the group watched in silence several looked as if they wanted to join him. In fighting something and the tree would do. They had found enough herbs, meat and water to make a good meal for the night and healing potions and paste for three days. Snow made some goodberries to feed Kriger and those added some color to his cheeks as well. Aria smiled when she saw them and thanked her. They gave a couple to Dalamar when they saw the swelling in his fists after he had calmed down.
"It seems that whatever the big bad we are trying to stop is angry. The creatures that we fought on the road found their way here. My family paid for it. If any of you want to go home and stop now is the time to say. We will not fault you for it. I know you, Ragnar, have a young wife and a new child. If you feel you must go home then say now."
Ragnar looks at Snow as if seeing his wife then looks at Dalamar. There is not a smile or any regret only a blank look of honesty.
"Yes I have a wife at home. She has a son. It is not my son, she was with child when we met, I told her I would take her as my wife and would call her child mine. I would not let them call her an unclean woman and I would not let the child be raised without a family. If anything happens to me, or my brother, my family will still welcome her and my son. None of them, save Kriger, know the truth. He will never tell."
Snow smiles at the love this man shows for a woman that no one else would have cared for. Je'Un spoke next.
"I have a family now. My family is made up of those of the same order I trained in." smiling shyly at Snow "It is also made better with the addition of your friend Dragu."
Snow let out a shocked gasp as she open mouth gawked at Je'Un.
"What! How! I.. uh wow .. I thought he was a priest or something so HOW!?"
Je'Un took a finger and gently closes Snows mouth then smiling she just said
"The old fashioned way, we talked, got to know each other and well, we love each other. Since Aria said that one of the three of them is not going to be there when we get back I asked her to look harder and well, She told me to let him know how I felt and make my farewells. So I did."
Amanda sits at the fire listening there is a distant faraway look in her eyes. Her voice sounds a little sad as she says
"That is sweet Je'Un. I'm tired I think I am going to sleep. I hope to see you all in the morning. I do not feel so well. Dalamar, I am sorry for your loss and may they be with you on the rest of your journey."
Dalamar watches the young elf as she walks over to the pallet she made for herself and lays down. He notices how suddenly she looks so old for a young elf. He wonders what is wrong. Snow decides that it is time to turn in as well. She writes a quick note in her journal then turning to Azule looks at her companion and pulls the white tiger to her. "I miss home, Chaos and Old Mother." Silently saying a blessing and a prayer she turns in. "Azule I hope tomorrow is brighter, warmer and the end of the road; so we can turn and go home." As she nods off Snow starts humming an odd tune she has never heard. It is not complete. It is of key, but for some reason, she just feels like she has to learn it.
Chapter: 9
Dalamar
Welcome old friend, I know I have long forsaken in writing. I take you, my journal, in hand as I need to tell of this troubling time. We have these last two months come together as a little band to find the map keeper. Alas we did not find him but instead we found his daughter. She turned out to be a high spirited little sprig of a Halfling named AJ Jasperwind. She was not alone when we got to her home. Verial and his group were telling their story. We set down following Arias behest and listened as more talk went on. Verial apparently knows Amanda. She does not seem to remember him. I have been watching her it is clear even before we ran across the group something was troubling her. I shall explain what she said to me. She has a few things she cannot remember. Amanda is Elven and goes through reverie. so I am troubled by this. I have decided though, that until she broaches the issue again I will not bring it up, as she does not seem bothered by it. We have traveled to the town of Waystruck. While we were there we heard of some children that had gone missing. Lucy, Vistana and Aria took it upon themselves to go investigate the issue. While they were doing this Aria got an uncomfortable feeling and told the small group they should turn back. Instead, apparently Vistana ran head long into the ruins. This caused a battle with a giant spiny demon. Vistana blamed Arias fear for them almost dying and said that if she had fought then maybe he would not have been so hurt. Lucy did make sure to let me know they were able to save some of the children. Not all of them belonged to family's they are orphans. The rest of us hearing this news decide that the nest needs to be completely cleaned out. So we left in the morning to cleanse a den of evil. Amanda, Je'Un, Korel and I had decided that we might have to camp overnight in the wilds. As night fell we set up camp and set our watches. Korel and Ragnar took first. Je'Un and Vistana second. Amanda and I took third. Lucy stayed in town with Aria, Snow and Kriger. I did not want to leave them unattended. I know she does not understand right now, but I trust her with my life. I therefore trust her to guard the lives of these three. I am not sure why, Vistana feigned ill, when I informed the group that Aria, Snow would not be coming; but I did not want to leave them unguarded. It was at some point during the darkest hour that the moon came out from behind the clouds illuminating a ghostly image of a woman, who said nothing but just pointed at the mountain range that was about half a day travel from our location, as we looked where the apparition pointed we seen what appeared to be a demonic face in the mountains. So that morning we set out for the image that we see but as we got closer the image became vaguer. Until we discovered that the image we seen was nothing more than natural setting of the land and our own imagination. The apparition though is another thing, so we decided to search around a bit. That's when we found the ruins of an ancient tower. Searching through the ruins we found stairs leading down into the ground. As we began our decent into the dungeon korel started to become paranoid that something was following us, so he took up rear guard as Je 'Un and myself took point and Amanda covered us with her bow. We encountered mostly undead skeletons which we vanquished. In one of the deeper rooms we encountered a skeletal leader who was somewhat a challenge. After vanquishing the undead in that room we progressed until we came to the last chamber, here Amanda and Je' Un were severely hurt so I told them to retreat. Then I was severely hurt lucky for us korel is stout because he covered our retreat and was actually able to vanquish all the undead skeletons guarding this room. When I heard no more fighting, from the top of the stairs where I stopped to wait for korel. I decide to go and witness korel's demise so I could tell the others, but instead I found korel standing victorious over the enemy. that's when the ghostly apparition reappeared saying something about a weapon pointing towards an alter statue that suddenly crumbled revealing several items of interest which we picked up with korel once again telling me that he believed that we are being followed. We quickly fled catching up to the others. I don't believe that we truly stopped again until we got back to the outpost. Well I have decided that if it comes to leading us into battle I will let Lucy do it she seems more capable. I was too worried that my decision was going to get someone killed. So after we rest I guess we will go back out and see what else we can find. When we step outside into the area where camped we find Aria, Snow, and Kriger sitting around a campfire roasting a few rabbits and talking about something in low voices. I look to Kriger for answers and am about to ask when Lucy steps from around a bend she has Vistana in manacles. Her face looks grim but his looks like he lost a battle. Shaking her head ever so slightly Lucy let me know now is not the time to talk. I cleared my throat and went to the camp. Snow is sitting facing the fire and her white tiger is beside her. I notice as I come near her She has her hand on him and is not letting go. I also notice the staff she usually carries has been broken. I know what Lucy said but I want to and I think I need to know what happened to a woman left in my care. As I am about to ask Aria looks at me and smiles. 'Don't worry she might get her sight back before we have to take her home.' Then she reaches over and pats my hand. I look hard at Snow and see what looks like burn marks around her eyes. I just shake my head and look at Lucy. She just looks at me and mouths later. So later it must be. While we eat the meager meal Ragnar sums up what has happened since his brother was injured including the battle inside the cave. Kriger just grumbles and tells him he is ready to fight beside him again. It is during this little bit of peace we hear a muffled thump. I notice that Lucy has not joined us around the fire. Getting up weapon drawn Raganar and Kriger join me I walk to the lights edge. Calling to Lucy I ask if she is ok. When I get a muffled yeah just collecting some trouble Ragnar and Kriger go out to aide her. When they come back both brothers have a man before them. The two new men are identical twins except in clothing and weapons. One, Zirul Trueshot, carries a bow. His brother Orvin looks to use magic as there are naught but wands about his belt. It is Zirul that asks permission to talk. He tells us of their village of it being raided by drow and undead; their women, children and all gold and food taken. All able to fight and coming of age to fight were killed. Some of them had gotten out that is how they are alive. They were out hunting and spying on the girls that were learning to do animal magic that day. Ziruls eyes looked almost homesick. He looked at Snow when he sees her staff he talks to Orvin in a language that I am only slightly familiar with. It was Snow that shook her head this time; she spoke up and told them it was an accident her staff getting broken that is. She did not know what caused the blindness. Lucy looked at me and shook her head again. Orvin asked permission to look at her staff and eyes. I nodded and Kriger let him go. Orvin walked over to Snow and placed his hands over her eyes. He closed his and then placed a finger over his own. Saying some words and then slowly breathing out Orvin slowly opened his eyes. When he did he had tears in his. He picked up Snows hand and gently kissed it. He spoke to her in their shared language for a moment Snow looked as if she would cry. Azule Snows tiger growled and then nuzzled Snows' other hand. When Snow looked at me this time I noticed her eyes were not the white blank dots of many blind people or the dull colorless eyes of others. Her pupil had turned into a star of brilliant white; while the iris was now a dark deep blue. I gasped when I saw it. My reaction must have alarmed Snow as she paled and closed her eyes. Her voice cracked letting everyone know she was on the verge of tears. 'I did not mean to frighten you. Did they change so badly?' Aria and Korel calmed her letting her know that they are just a little prettier; deeper in color and unexpected. When Snow was reassured the group asked the two knew men what they wanted. Zirul simply stated they want to aid in the fight ahead of us tomorrow. Agreeing we made plans for the watches and got rest. As morning broke the ones going in to the final fight went in. I did not know so many things were going to go wrong. We cleaned it out but we lost so much the final battle cost us a lot. We traveled to an ancient forest set deep in the Dragonspirez Mountains and here is where we encountered a demon in the battle our companion Zirul Trueshot was killed. We figure do to his death is the cause of Orivon's death because after the battle we found that he was dead also with no wounds that we could see. Do to the danger that surrounded us we were unable to get their bodies so we fled. As we could see our exit the demon, we thought to have vanquished, re-appeared Vistana with his summoned companion intercepted it yelling that we needed to get out. Korel picked up aria and ran with Je 'Un who was also limping. Lucy, I with Amanda unleashed range attacks against the demon. When we see that Vistana intended to break his staff is when we also ran, followed by a large explosion that sealed the entrance. We were able to get back to the cave that we were using as our base camp, here is where we rested. During this time Aria our oracle looked into the fire seeing that we needed to go to the land of endless winter. Our travels to this land of cold took us six months to get there. Then after we got there it took us another month to find what we were supposed to find. I got to thinking that korel and Amanda no longer seem as competitive as they were at first. In fact korel seems to taken the roll of protector and stays by either Amanda or Aria's side. We traveled a day to a large whole in the side of a cliff, which was just large enough for someone small to fit into. Well we all know Aria is easily frightened so Je' Un and Amanda crawled into the hole. When they crawled out there was another small creature with them, which I mistook at first for being some small elemental. But after he washed and returned to our camp I found that he is a gnome called Kalsgard Whistledown archeologist who was currently digging for some ancient item. I asked him what it was and he told me an odd tale. Kalsgard told us that he was from a small town of Riverbend which sets far from here in the valley of obelisks, he was studying some work that none of us knew or ever heard of (he began to explain, I stopped him and we got back to history) well he said I hit my head pretty hard, hard enough to knock myself out, and when I woke I packed up and made my way here. After he stopped I looked around and after a moment I asked and? Kalsgard looked at me and it seemed as afterthought went back to his story... He told us while he was asleep a creature of fire came to him, he said she was beautiful beyond belief, and told him to travel to this place and to look for an item of earthly power until one who speaks with fire comes, that's when she said I would be able to go home. So here I am and he looks at Aria and there she is, so let's go home. He seemed extremely eager to go, as if we needed to leave now or something...Is there something we should know about here... He said an imp like creature came the other day and stole the items he uncovered and fled before he could do anything... When he gave chase it flew to something large and that thing took flight and flew (that's when he pointed) and at the same time Aria jumped up and said the valley of obelisks is where the final battles will take place .Kalsgard just shook his head and mumbled something, I asked what it was and he said that the book said so, what book I asked he said his book, a journal of sorts basically a historical journal. That foretells an epic battle to come with a demon that has tried once before to open a portal to his realm so it could bring forth an army of demons. So how far is your valley I asked, Kalsgard told us it was six to eight months of hard travel maybe a year with slower travel. So how long did it take you...Three years he said? Later I'll talk with Kriger and Ragnar since this is their land maybe they can shorten our trip. Later that night I found kriger and Ragnar sitting at the fire talking in hush voice, as I approached they stopped their conversation and looked up at me. Well I asked do you know of any way for us to get to this valley quicker than a year, they just looked at me as if I was some small child then Ragnar said simply no. As I turned to go and get some sleep, it dawned on me they thought I was weak which made me mad so I turned and confronted them more or less yelling that I was not week and they were wrong for thinking I was. That morning Lucy was in a fair mood and when I asked what it was she said I was the cause, the commotion last night. And what the brothers told her this morning, just made her morning. I asked what did they say and she laughed, turned and went back to breaking camp. As we started away some of us started in one direction when we noticed the brothers and Aria waiting for us, aria motioned for us to follow and we set off at a brisk pace following trails that we could not see. But I feel that we are going in the wrong direction, but I trust aria and she seems to see more than most so here we go heading deeper into this frozen land. Sometime during the day when we finally stopped for a break I asked aria where are we going, she said that we needed to find someone first and to get there we needed to go through the halls of deep delve and light a fire in the cauldron so the stones would sing and at the exit we would find she who sees not and her companion of the northern isles. I asked she the tenth and Aria said no she is just someone who is lost and must be found before chaos goes rampant. I thought oh great we unleashed something else into the world and once again we must stop it ourselves. Our trip to the deep delves was quick since we seemed to never take any breaks. But we are here and as I figured we are going to travel through some ancient dwarven ruins that no one knows anything about. The morning that we were to enter I asked Je 'Un and Amanda if they wanted to enter because I believed that we needed someone to make haste over the mountain and get to this valley. Amanda said she was going to stay with korel something is wrong with him and she wanted to be there for him, I said ok. Je' Un on the other hand said she would go after she talked with Aria. Well we're down one person and we enter the ruins the moment we stepped through I had a feeling that we just woke something up, and didn't help that Aria in one of her more creepier voices said we walk in gloom until the lord of this domain grants us light then behold he who is lord of destruction. Amanda asked if maybe we should go back. I didn't know what to say so I just shrugged and we followed slowly behind the two brothers and Aria. The first couple of days were tenuous at best and to keep my attention focused I started watching my companions... I noticed that korel was favoring his right leg and sometimes having trouble breathing, Amanda on the other hand seemed to always polishing her bow, Lucy well she seemed to be like a storm just waiting to unleash its fury. Watching Aria though is like trying to figure what a bird is thinking she always has a flame going and lot times out of the blue she would say wrong way and head back the way we just came even if it means we walk a full day back. After one such incident I asked her why and she said simply "the flame told me so" and that's that. In watching the two brothers I find that they have taken their pledge to Aria seriously and without question they follow her, I believe they may even die for her. Kalsgard on the flip is quite talkative explaining this or that to me and pointing out things that I just assumed as is but by his views it's always something more.
Well AJ when you are reading this to Aria, the next chance you get, I hope I did not misspell too many words or make it to boring. I also hope I did not leave too much out or embellish the things that are really happening. It is my watch good night my little friend till the next chance I can write.
Smiling to himself Dalamar puts his journal back where he found it. Picking up his sword he takes his place for watch. Sadly he is not looking forward to the truth of many things. He does not know what is going to happen when they get back to the valley in the next few weeks but he knows Chaos is not going to like the fact Snow can no longer see.
Chapter 10
Kalsgard and the journey home
Kalsgard Whistledown is not only a gnome but an archeologist. When the group finds him he is covered in dirt and mud from weeks of research. It turns out to that his research is what has been most helpful to many of the orders in predicting the upcoming battle. The book that Je'Uns' order guarded is one such book. As he talks Aria listens seemingly taking in all the details as if enthralled to the aging little story teller. She stops one of his stories all of a sudden with on simple question. "If you knew all this was going to happen why didn't you just come to the place where the book was at and stop the person from taking it? Then this would not be taking place." Kalsgard looked at her, his smile both thought full and stern, "would you have me take away the life that grows in that young ladies belly? Or in your friends for that matter?" Aria looks thoughtful then slowly shakes her head. "No, you're right. It seems every action is connected." With that response Aria leans back and closes her eyes resting for a while. Snow takes the silence for a good time to do some resting of her own. She curls up with Azule. It is Dalamar that looks at Je'Un quietly not wanting to be intrusive.
"Is there something that you are hiding?"
"Nope. I just found out myself. I am waiting to tell the father. I hope that I get the chance to tell him. I am hoping that Aria is mistaken about the fact that all three are not there to welcome the group back."
Dalamar pats Je'Un on the hand. He tries to smile reassuringly. Je'Un takes up a wineskin and takes a small sip of wine. Dalamar gets up walks over to the rest of the men. He looks at Kriger and his brother.
"Why don't you two get the wagon ready? We need to get moving. We need to be back in the valley before the weather breaks. We also need to be ready to fight so make sure your weapons are sharp and accessible."
The two brothers nod and go about making things ready. Je'Un catches the movements out of the corner of her eye. She gets up and starts to help getting her things ready. Dalamar walks over when he sees her moving around.
"What are you doing? You need to get some more rest while you are able to?"
"I am fine. My people fight, work, and travel well until their baby comes. I am strong and healthy as will be my son."
"I am sure you both are. I am still the leader and I am asking you to rest for a few more minutes at least this last time. We are going to be traveling hard and fast for the next few days. We need to get to Snows homeland and her people soon."
Je'Un gives into Dalamars reason without further argument. Soon the little party is traveling along. The wagon wheels rumbling along the worn road. Snow talks to Dalamar and Koren until the steady rhythm rocks her to sleep. Aria who is riding beside her smiles when the sound of her steady breathing informs the rest of the riders that Snow has reached REM sleep. Only Azule seems agitated as time moves slowly during the day's cramped ride. Aria reaches over and pats the white tiger on the head.
"Would you like to run for a little bit?"
Azule looks at Snow then over at Aria. As if understanding Aria looks back at the tiger.
"If you can keep up then I see no problem with you running for a while. She is safe; the three of us are watching her."
Azule licks Snow's hand then makes a simple jump out the back of the wagon. He runs next to Amanda's horse for a while then next to Dalamar. Taking turns with the two riders and between the two wagons Azule played with the companions for a long while. He hunted for game with Amanda as they went along the trail. Keeping a good pace with her, together the two brought down a good sized buck.
"This will be good for a few meals. We just need to make a good fire tonight to cook the legs and keep the men out of it once it's cooked. I'll see to it that you get a good size piece of it." Amanda pats Azule on the head then heads back to the wagons. It is nearing dark and time to make camp when they decide to find a place to stop. Azule jumps up into the back to check on Snow. He nuzzles her hand, when she does not move or respond he tries it again. Nipping it but not hard enough to draw blood he still gets no response. Aria sitting beside Snow looks at Azule.
"Get Dalamar, we need to get her home fast. We do not have time to wait."
Azule growls, the noise makes Je'Un looks through the flap of the wagon, seeing Azule setting over Snow with his nuzzle next to her face Je'Un calls for Dalamar and Amanda.
"Easy Azule, Aria, why is fluffy here sitting on Snow?"
"Snow is not waking up. I think Azule believes I have done something to her."
Dalamar and Amanda arrive in time to hear what Aria said.
"Why won't she wake up? What has she ate or drank?"
"I don't know; Nothing but some water at breakfast and the rabbit from last night."
Dalamar reaches in taking Azule by the scruff.
"Come on friend we need to get her out of there so I can look at her. You can come out willingly or I can get scratched and you can get hit. What will it be?"
Azule turns his head growling begrudgingly he walks over and jumps down. Waiting by Amanda as Dalamar picks up Snow. When he carries her over to the fire her face looks as lifeless as one of the undead they have been fighting. Aria and Amanda come over and start looking for and marks or bites that they did not see. When they look at her abdomen they see the wound from the previous battle has once again festered. Ugly red lines run like those on AJ's map away from the scar. Amanda's breath catches as the smell of the infection hits the air when Aria opens the wound trying to purify it. Using one of Je'Uns daggers heated by the fire she cauterizes the reopened gash to stop the bleeding and hoping to ward off any further infection. Ragnar is the one that voices the question no one else wants to ask.
"If she is this sick how is the wee one? Does it still yet live?"
Aria looks away not wanting to face Je'Un or Amanda. Dalamar picks up Snow holding her in his arms before taking her back to the wagon. Azule stops him. He looks at the ground near the fire. Dalamar nods. Ragnar gets a bedroll and makes a pallet. As he is doing this Dalamar holds Snow close, her tiny baby belly just barely against his arm.
"Ah, I am sorry, this has cost you so much. Your sight, and now you wee one. I pray that it is not your young man that is the one that dies."
At this sentiment a small tickle brushes up against his arm and Snows hand opens on her tummy. A smile spreads across his face as tears once again run unchecked down his cheeks. Lucy walks over to him.
"I am beginning to think you are becoming and old woman my friend. I'll take first watch, you need to rest and have some tea."
The jest makes him and the other men laugh once again they are going to be ok, all hope is back. When he lays her down on the makeshift pallet Azule lies beside her. He watches Amanda fixing the deer but does not leave his friends side. Not even when it is time to collect his prize. Morning finds them all in better spirits, with full bellies and Snow with bit more color to her cheeks. They pack up ready to move on; as Dalamar loads Snow into the wagon he notices, for the first time, she is humming in her sleep.